Ectopic pregnancy

After 4 hospital visits, 3 vaginal exams, 2 scans and numerous blood tests, I have finally been diagonised with an ectopic pregnancy. It's been so hard the last month, bleeding continually, cramping and looking after a 3 year old while studying fulltime, while having no clue on what was going on

I will be talking to a gynecologist on Monday about treatment, a drug to flush things out, feel a bit apprehensive about this, though properly because I'm not fully informed yet. Has anyone been through this? What are the side effects etc? Really I just need to talk about it since I have noone who has been through it before.

Get this, the stupid young male dr also told me the drug was used for abortions, nice, what I really wanted to hear.

Me!

I had methotrixate to "flush" my ectopic, they either use that or misoprostol. Either way I've had both for different pregnancies.

If its methotrixate, they determine how much to give you (injection in the butt) based on your height and body weight. It is a cancer drug so you can get a bit of nausea but I was given antinausea drugs to take if I needed. I think I used one or two of them, it was more just a slight blah feeling. Other than that there was no side effects immediately afterwards. However, I wasn't allowed to ttc for 6 months. Methotrixate is also messes with folic acid so if you have that just take folic acid while you are in the no ttc period to make sure you have a decent amount back in your system when/if you try again. Because its a cancer drug I got all stressed about that but its only one dose and its very effective at getting rid of the ectopic but allowing you to keep your tube. However, I wasn't allowed to be left alone for 2 weeks incase my tube ruptured anyway.

If its misoprostal - it was just a pill, I dunno if they use that for ectopics, but they do for miscarriages.. that had no side effects what so ever.

I had bloods done every couple of days and then weekly until my hcg levels returned to 0.

If you got any other questions ask away.

Edited by kebakat

Yeah it was methotrixate he mentioned. I think it's really my only option I've been at the same hcg level for nearly a month, only slightly risen then stayed stagnent, so I don't see anything happening naturally.

6 months no ttc is a blow,since It had taken ages to actually get pregnant, though really all I want now is it to be over with, maybe 6 month will give me enough time to emotionally heal as well as physically.

This intermitent cramping sucks too, though I'm guessing because I was only 5 weeks, it no real 'problem'.

Thanks Kebakat, I'm sorry you had to go through this aswell, to say that it sucks is a understatement.

 It was actually the dr who saw me at A & E last night that told me about the drug being used for abortions, was just a dumb thing to say, I thought drs had a little bit more sensitivity then that.

How long was it until the hcg level left your body, did you have lots of dark brown/red bleeding through out? I've been getting really bad cramps in my side and I'm bleeding a bit more, thats why I went to A & E again as the bleeding had worsen as well as the cramps.

I'm hating the waiting as well, I'm a bit scared it'll do further damage and effect my fertility even more. Though I know logically I should be ok.

Hi there

Firstly, I am very sorry about what you are going through. I can completely relate.   I have had two eptopics and just recently a miscarriage.

For my first eptopic, I was given methrotrexate. Got the injection above my backside, but just below my hip. I too was wary because it is used as a cancer drug and I hate any sort of medication being injected in me. I had to wait around for 20 mins just to check I didn't have a reaction. I didn't. Felt a little light headed, but didn't feel sick or anything like that.

However, the surgeon said I only had two wait 2-3 cycles, before trying again. I waited three to be on the safe side. So perhaps check with the gyne, it must vary between centres.

Second eptopic (same side as first). They took the "softy softy, let's just wait and see what happens". For some reason they were reluctant to take any action. I did as I was told. Outcome: my tube ruptured and I had to have it removed. On the positive side (if you can call it one) it only decreases your fertility by a few percent.

Recently, I got my period on time and as usual, except it didn't stop. Didn't feel any different, just the normal period. Went to my Dr just to be safe and because quite frankly I was over my period! She said that sometimes your body does weird things, but to be safe she did a test and it came back positive. I panicked and thought I was doomed. Its my nature to think the worst, so I thought I was having an eptopic on the otherside.   It ended up being a miscarriage and nature took its course.

Now, I thought after all this drama that finally someobody would look into things and say - this is more than bad luck. Apparently not, miscarriage and eptopic are two very different things. The only advice they have for me, is do early pregnancy tests and once my level gets to 1500 I have to have a scan.

I know you probably feel lost and bewildered, but try and stay positive (easier said that done). Its more common than you think. Since my experience, I have been told about lots of people who have gone on to have normaly healthy pregnancies.

DH was with me when I went in to finally discuss options once it was confirmed. We basically spent the day at the hospital because it took ages to be seen initially. Then got sent for bloods. Then ages waiting around in oncology to get the drugs and then I had to go back down and get anti d (cos I'm neg and DH is pos).I think its good to have someone there as a support person

It certainly does. I've spent far too much time in the last couple of years sittingin waiting rooms bored out of my skull

Well after my dnc last night, they ruled out it being a molar pregnancy and due to swelling on my left side they think the pregancy was in my left tube. They gave me Methotrexate and I was quite ill as I hadn't eaten for 12 hours because of my surgery. Though feeling way better today. They're going to do following blood tests to evaluate if I will need a further shot also. Kinda glad it's all over, and I'm really hoping to not need another injection.

Kebakat thanks for all of your advice, I'm going to keep taking folic acid. What dosage would be best to take?, I know I can't od on the stuff lol.

Sh_az how are you doing?

Kinda makes me wonder what other side effects there maybe. I'm sorry to here your bub had spina bifida, life throws some cruel blows.

Sh_az, you were told not to take folic acid after the methrotrexate? Did they tell you the reason why?

I feel rotten today, the nausea has finally got me. Home alone too, so a bit nervous. I've got another bloodtest tomorrow, really hoping there has been some decrease in my hcg levels.

Talked to Charlie on the phone last night and he asked to come home, poor thing, I really want him home but I'm just not physically or mentally up to it. He's a very full on boy at the best of times!